An event titled “Current Foot Analysis Techniques” was organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Program. Podology Program Head Lecturer Muharrem Tosun and Prosthetics and Orthotics Technician Özlem Özen attended the event. Students had the opportunity to experience the theoretical knowledge they learned in practice.
The event, held at the Çarşı Campus, was moderated by Kübra Akkalay, Head of the Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics Department, Lecturer.
Lecturer Muharrem Tosun: “You can deliver the insole to the patient very quickly”
Providing theoretical and practical information on the application of measurement techniques, Lecturer Muharrem Tosun said; “The biggest advantage is that you can deliver the insole to the patient very quickly. Of course, the disadvantage here is that we encounter a problem because only static measurements are taken and they are shaped with heat. Normally, insoles have a lifespan of up to one year. Unfortunately, insoles used in this way return to their original shape after a few months. Since they are shaped with heat, their use is very short-lived. That is, they return to their original shape within 2-3 months. The patient brings the insole back to you, and you can heat it again, reshape it, and deliver it back to the patient.”
Two techniques are used in measurement
Speaking about the two techniques used in measurement, Tosun said; “There are two techniques used when taking measurements. One of them is static and the other is dynamic. In static, we stand still. It only measures the stance phase. In dynamic, the measurement is taken while the person’s gait is in motion. With these types of devices, measurements are only taken during the static stance phase. Unfortunately, this does not give one hundred percent accurate results. We see this in our clinical applications with patients.”
Özlem Özen: “Feet are of great importance in the body!”
Underlining the relationship between foot health and other health problems, Prosthetics and Orthotics Technician Özlem Özen stated; “The insole is actually a very fundamental structure at the bottom. Therefore, the more importance we give to this insole, the easier we can see these orthoses being used. I have seen that people who truly need them can access orthoses. Why is the insole important? In fact, why are feet important? Our feet carry our entire body. Even the slightest change in ankle angle affects the hips, waist, and knees. Our shoes and feet are also very important in this regard. This shows us how important feet actually are in the body. Feet are of great importance in the body.”
The patient's profession is also very important…
Referring to the points to consider when evaluating the foot before creating an insole, Özen said; “The patient's profession is also important to us. Because the patient's profession shows us the type of shoe and foot. ‘Is it a flight attendant? Does he use steel-toed construction shoes? Is he a chef? An athlete?’ These need to be considered. The insole must be given according to their specific form. Now, an insole I make for a flight attendant would not be the same as one with a studded steel toe. It needs to have a special structure.”
Potential problems can be identified with gait analysis…
Özen also touched upon static and dynamic measurement techniques; “We cannot see in stance what we observe during gait. Because in people with gait phase abnormalities, it reveals itself directly during walking, but not so much in a static stance. For example, in cases of pronation, we look at their ankles in a static stance, but when they walk, their inner parts completely collapse inwards. Pronation can become even more pronounced during gait analysis, which is why it is so important, as it can also provide information about potential problems that may arise in the future.”
Both static and dynamic measurement techniques were demonstrated with students at the event. Students had the opportunity to experience the theoretical knowledge they learned in practice.
The event concluded after a Q&A session.